On Friday, October 10, 2025, join the global movement for World Mental Health Day.
This day is more than a calendar milestone — it’s a reminder that mental health and work are deeply connected. With 60% of the global population in work, the workplace can either protect or put pressure on our mental health. Safe, supportive environments build resilience, connection, and well-being, while stigma, discrimination, and unhealthy conditions can have the opposite effect.
That’s why World Mental Health Day is a call to action for employers, leaders, and colleagues alike: to create cultures where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Read on to discover how you can champion wellbeing at work and foster a culture that truly cares.
World Mental Health Day shines a light on mental health issues worldwide — and reminds us that awareness is only the first step. Established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health, this initiative aims to promote mental health education, combat stigma, and raise awareness worldwide.
The day creates space to share progress, highlight what’s working, and be honest about what still needs to change so that mental health care is accessible to all.
World Mental Health Day takes place every October 10 to shine a light on global mental health and inspire collective action.
The 2025 theme for World Mental Health Day is Access to Services: Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies. This year’s focus is on making care easier to reach, protecting not only those directly affected but also the people on the front lines providing support.
World Mental Health Day matters because it shines a light on an issue that no workplace can ignore. It’s a chance to move beyond awareness and into action — building cultures where mental well-being is part of everyday practice, not just a once-a-year conversation. When organizations take the lead, they set the stage for healthier, more connected, and more resilient teams.
Burnout, stress, and disconnection are all symptoms of an imbalance that significantly impacts mental health. These challenges not only impact employees’ personal lives but also translate into the workplace, disrupting productivity, reducing a sense of belonging, and driving higher turnover in organizations.
It’s no surprise that well-being and positive employee engagement go hand in hand. According to research from the Achievers Workforce Institute (AWI), organizations that prioritize employee well-being see higher engagement levels, with employees more likely to report being physically and mentally healthy.
Ultimately, when employees feel valued and recognized, it fosters better mental well-being, benefiting both themselves and the organization they’re part of.
Recognition is a simple yet powerful driver of well-being in the workplace; it reduces stress, reinforces a sense of value, strengthens connection, and helps protect against burnout. It’s the “secret sauce” that can transform company culture for the better. At its core, recognition reminds employees that they matter and that their contributions are seen and appreciated.
According to the 2025 State of Recognition Report, when employees are recognized weekly by their manager, they are:
Those numbers tell a bigger story: recognition doesn’t just fuel engagement, it protects well-being. A simple “thank you” can ease stress, fight burnout, and turn the workplace into a space where people feel genuinely supported.
One of the most effective ways to support mental health in the workplace is through meaningful recognition. Organizations can take action by incorporating recognition into everyday culture by using recognition platforms, launching campaigns tied to mental health initiatives, and linking recognition to tangible rewards.
Keep reading to explore how each of these strategies can help build a more supportive, mentally healthy workplace for World Mental Health Day and beyond:
Whether it’s running mindfulness sessions, leading walking groups, or simply checking in on peers, employees who advocate for wellness play a vital role in creating a supportive workplace culture. Encourage mindful leadership by having managers and senior leaders recognize and reward these efforts in meaningful ways, such as:
This kind of visible recognition not only reinforces positive behavior but also normalizes wellness initiatives and encourages others to get involved. It communicates that mental health support is not only valued but vital.
Use an employee rewards program like Achievers to encourage recognition for meaningful actions, including empathy, active listening, and emotional support. These small acts of care can make a big difference in fostering workplace mental health.
Some standout features of Achievers that help promote peer-to-peer mental health appreciation include:
Tools like Achievers make recognition seamless and intuitive, so that acknowledgment and support become a natural part of an organization’s culture, and not an afterthought.
Launch a campaign using eCards to celebrate vulnerability, resilience, and mental strength. Personalized mental health eCards can recognize employees for their courage in speaking up, their support of others, or even for simply showing up on difficult days.
Some meaningful ways to tailor these messages include:
These small but powerful gestures help normalize conversations about mental health, foster emotional connection across teams, encourage participation in employee wellness programs, and remind employees that true strength lies not only in perseverance but also in seeking support.
A dedicated campaign is a powerful way to spark engagement and spotlight mental health in the workplace. Use themes like #MindfulMoments or #RecognizeWellbeing to encourage conversations, highlight employee wellness, and bring your organization together in meaningful ways.
Some impactful campaign activities could include:
A gratitude wall where employees can recognize and encourage one another
By combining recognition with purposeful activities, a World Mental Health Day campaign doesn’t just create a moment of awareness — it helps cultivate a supportive culture and a truly healthy work environment that lasts beyond the day itself.
One of the most meaningful ways to recognize and empower employees is by giving them the opportunity to redeem points to choose their own wellness-focused perks. Whether it’s extra time off, therapy sessions, meditation app subscriptions, financial wellness tools, or nature-based experiences, these rewards send a clear message: their well-being matters.
Other mental health-friendly rewards could include:
By offering flexible, thoughtful rewards, organizations can actively support well-being while recognizing the unique ways individuals recharge and care for themselves.
Let World Mental Health Day be an opportunity to embed mental health into the workplace long after the day has passed. Maintain momentum with ongoing, culture-driven recognition that prioritizes mental health throughout the entire year.
Encourage leaders to model openness and foster psychological safety by sharing their own experiences, encouraging mental health conversations, and creating space for vulnerability. Support this commitment with regular pulse checks using Achiever’s feedback features, including real-time analytics that proactively identify stressors before they lead to burnout.
Regular recognition and open dialogue are key to fostering genuine wellness in the workplace. At the end of the day, recognition goes beyond simple appreciation; it’s a crucial part of an effective wellness strategy.
Mental health is the foundation of a thriving, resilient workforce. Move beyond performance metrics and deadlines to promote psychological safety, emotional well-being, and authentic human connection.
World Mental Health Day serves as a powerful reminder that every “thank you” can be a lifeline. Consistent appreciation and recognition can shift workplace culture, creating a space where employees feel seen, valued, and supported, not just for what they do, but for who they are.
With Achievers, recognition becomes a powerful tool to build healthier, happier workplaces — one moment of appreciation at a time.
Support mental health at work by making recognition effortless and everywhere. Get practical steps to turn everyday gratitude into lasting impact.
Discover what today’s workforce really needs when it comes to mental health
Written by
Anosha Amin
Discover how easy recognition can be with Achievers
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